Best Museums in Edinburgh

If you plan to visit the Scottish capital you can visit Edinburgh Castle, which is the custodian of the Crown Jewels, get lost in its intricate cobbled streets or follow the Harry Potter route, but you can also visit some of the best museums in the country, as this destination is a cultural reference in the United Kingdom.

Some of the best things to do in Edinburgh include visiting the National Museum of Scotland, marvelling at the National Gallery, visiting the Chocolatarium and discovering the Camera Obscura and its performance of optical illusions. Here's everything you need to know to enjoy these exhibitions.

The National Museum of Scotland is a cultural haven that houses one of the most diverse collections in the UK. Founded in 1861, the museum offers a comprehensive exploration of Scottish history, culture and art, as well as a variety of international exhibitions. Among its outstanding collections are works of art and objects of everyday life from prehistory to the modern era.

The importance of the National Museum of Scotland lies in its ability to provide an in-depth insight into Scotland's heritage. Its collection ranges from medieval relics to contemporary pieces and it plays a crucial role in the preservation and display of cultural heritage.

Apart from its vast collection, the building itself is an architectural marvel, with a Victorian design that complements the richness of its exhibits. Admission to the museum is also free, making it an accessible option for all audiences.

Edinburgh Castle is just a short walk away, so you can easily include it in your Edinburgh itinerary.

Interesting details

• Price: admission is free.
• Location: Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF.
• Opening times: daily 10am-5pm.

Located on the perimeter of Edinburgh Castle, the National War Museum houses a collection of war artefacts, uniforms, weapons and documents spanning centuries of military history. Highlights of its exhibits include accoutrements from the First and Second World Wars, as well as earlier and later conflicts, providing a comprehensive overview of the military development of Scotland's soldiers.

However, the museum's exhibits highlight not only Scotland's military history, but also the impact of conflict on Scottish society in particular and British society in general. The setting, which contains the most famous of Edinburgh's castles, adds an extra tinge to the visit, as the museum is housed in a historic fortress that has witnessed many of the events on display.

In the National War Museum area, Edinburgh Castle is also a must-see attraction offering spectacular views of the city and an insight into Scotland's history. In addition, the Royal Mile, a bustling street nearby, is lined with shops, restaurants and other points of historical interest.

Details of interest

• Price: Admission is free.
• Location: Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG.
• Hours: 9.45am-5.45pm daily.

Although not strictly a museum, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, built in the 16th century, is the official residence of the British monarchy in Scotland and offers visitors a tour of the royal flats, which have housed kings and queens from Mary, the first Queen of Scotland, to the current members of the British Royal Family. The building also houses a collection of tapestries, paintings and historic furniture, offering a journey into the daily life of royalty.

Today, the Palace of Holyroodhouse remains an active official residence used by the monarch during visits to Scotland, but it is also open to the public for much of the year. Here you can explore not only the royal flats, but also the ruins of the former Holyrood Abbey and the gardens surrounding the palace, which you'll find particularly beautiful if you choose to visit Edinburgh in April or during the spring months.

The building also hosts temporary exhibitions in the Queen's Gallery, where treasures from the Royal Collection are on display. Near the palace you can also tour the modern Scottish Parliament building, where you'll have the opportunity to take a guided tour to learn more about contemporary Scottish politics.

Useful details

• Price: admission is free.
• Location: Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX.
• Opening times: 9.30am-6pm daily.

The Chocolatarium offers a unique experience for those with a sweet tooth. This site, which for many is a chocolate museum, offers an unmissable journey through the world of cocoa, from the manufacturing process to the tasting of exquisite handmade creations. Here you can also learn about the history of chocolate, explore the production process and take part in workshops.

Visiting the Chocolatarium is an unforgettable adventure if you are a chocolate aficionado or if you are simply looking for a fun activity. It's also one of the best things to do with kids in Edinburgh and a great place to hang out between tours or during rainy weather.

You can combine this visit with a trip to Grassmarket, a market where you can continue to explore local flavours and interact with locals as it is one of the places Scots go to for their daily shopping.

Interesting details

• Price: Entry with tastings included is approximately ¤32.
• Location: 3-5 Cranston St, Edinburgh EH8 8BE.
• Opening hours: daily 10am-5pm.

If you want to see the main exhibitions of this destination, there is no way you can leave off the list the Museum of Edinburgh, which houses a collection of objects that narrate in detail the evolution of the Scottish capital, from its origins as a medieval settlement to its transformation into one of the most important cultural references in Europe.

Highlights of the exhibition include antique furniture, jewellery, cartographic maps, royal costumes and everyday utensils that illustrate how life in the city has changed over the centuries. In addition, the museum highlights key moments in the city's history, such as the Protestant Reformation, the Edinburgh Illuminations and their role during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Like all the famous buildings in the Scottish capital, this museum is located just off the Royal Mile, but a little closer to Calton Hill, from where you can get some of the best views of Edinburgh Castle, which tops the list of Edinburgh's top castles.

Nearby, you can also take part in some of Edinburgh's best ghost and mystery tours, making it easy to include this museum in your itinerary, as you can combine it with other activities.

Interesting details

• Price: admission is free.
• Location: 142-146 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD.
• Opening hours: daily 10am-5pm.

If you want to see one of the country's leading art institutions, a visit to the National Gallery of Scotland is a must. With almost 200 years of history, this museum houses an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures from the Renaissance to the Neoclassical period. Highlights include several works by Titian, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, as well as a remarkable collection of Scottish art.

Like most museums in Scotland, admission is free, making it an ideal place to experience local culture without breaking the bank. With numerous rooms, it's also a great place to take shelter on rainy or cold days, which could be beneficial if you're planning to visit Edinburgh in March or during the winter months.

Nearby, you can also explore several notable attractions, such as the National Gallery Garden and the Royal Scottish Academy, located in the same complex, which houses contemporary art exhibitions.

Useful details

• Price: Admission is free.
• Location: The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL.
• Opening hours: daily 10am-5pm.

One of Edinburgh's most interesting sites is the Camera Obscura, a combination museum and interactive centre that mixes science, visual illusions and entertainment. Its main attraction is the camera obscura itself, an optical device that projects live images of the city onto a table in a darkened room, using a system of mirrors and lenses.

Currently, the Camera Obscura functions as an edutainment centre, ideal for both children and adults. It offers an immersive experience where visitors can not only learn about the basic principles of optics and vision, but also enjoy fun distorting mirrors, light tunnels and rooms with perception-challenging illusions.

In addition, some of the best panoramic views of Edinburgh can be seen from the Camera Obscura terrace, making the visit all the more appealing and historical in its own right.

Details of interest

• Price: from £27.
• Location: 549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND
• Opening hours: daily 9am-8pm.

If you enjoy scientific adventure, then the Dynamic Earth Science Museum is for you. Located near the Scottish Parliament and at the foot of Arthur's Seat Hill, it is an interactive centre that will take you on a journey through the history of the Earth. This unique museum, designed to explore the evolution of the planet, covers topics such as plate tectonics, climate, biodiversity and geology.

Through interactive exhibits, you can experience everything from the Big Bang to simulations of earthquakes and glaciers, making Dynamic Earth an unforgettable experience. On the other hand, its facilities include dome projections, simulations of extreme environments such as the rainforest and the poles, and planetarium shows that allow you to explore the mysteries of the universe.

On the other hand, if you plan to visit Edinburgh in the summer, which is the children's holiday season, you can find children's themed shows that will be ideal for entertaining the little ones.

This multi-sensory experience, with sounds, projections and effects, offers an ideal plan to visit with a child and could prove as popular with the little ones as the Harry Potter Trail in Edinburgh.

Interesting details

• Price: from £23.
• Location: Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AS.
• Opening times: Wednesday to Sunday 10.00am to 6.00pm.

If you want to get out of Edinburgh's historic circle and visit the outskirts of the city, the National Museum of Flight in East Lothian is a good excuse. One of the largest of its kind in the UK, this exhibition houses a collection of historic and contemporary aircraft, spanning from the First World War to the present day.

Highlights include the Concorde supersonic jet, which in its glory years linked Paris to New York in less than three hours, Spitfire fighter jets and the Vulcan Bomber, as well as helicopters and other military and civilian aircraft that illustrate the evolution of aviation throughout the 20th century.

Through its interactive exhibits, visitors can explore not only the aircraft, but also the history of aviation, the technologies that have transformed flight, and the personal experiences of pilots and crews, both combat and passenger-carrying.

Edinburgh 's National Museum of Flight offers guided tours, family-friendly activities and flight simulations that give you an immersive experience of flying a fighter jet. Also, just a short drive away is Tantallon Castle, a medieval fortress overlooking the North Sea with panoramic views.

Interesting details

• Price: from 15 euros.
• Location: East Fortune Airfield, B1347, North Berwick EH39 5LF.
• Opening times: daily 10am-5pm.

The Georgian House, located in Charlotte Square, the heart of Edinburgh's Georgian Quarter, is a historic gem that offers a fascinating insight into life in the city from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The house, built in 1796, has been restored to show how the upper classes of the Georgian era lived, with visitors able to tour the rooms, from the great hall to the bedrooms and kitchen.

In its current role, The Georgian House acts as a historical museum allowing you to travel back in time in an immersive experience that recreates the domestic environment of the period, including the servant areas that show the daily work of the servants.

In the area of The Georgian House you can also explore some of Edinburgh's other top attractions. Charlotte Square, where the house is located, is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the UK. Also within walking distance is the Scottish Museum of Modern Art and Princes Street, one of the city's main shopping streets.

Details of interest

• Price: from 15 euros.
• Location: 7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR.
• Opening hours: daily 10am-5pm.